COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report - Maldives Updates and Impacts
Maldives has reported 2261 positive COVID-19 cases with 412 active cases, 1839 recoveries, and 8 deaths as of 25th June. The country has been implementing various measures to control the spread, including contact tracing and lockdowns. The economic, political, and health sectors are also experiencing significant effects due to the pandemic, with government responses and financial impacts being highlighted.
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COVID19 COVID19 - - Weekly Situation Report Weekly Situation Report 25 June 2020 25 June 2020 A total of 2261 cases have tested positive in Maldives with 412 active cases, and 1839 recoveries, and 8 reported deaths as of 25 June. The highest daily peak this week was 37. Since the first case of community spread was reported on 15 April 2020 in Greater Male area, authorities have so far identified over 17,500 contacts through contact tracing but have not yet identified initial source of contraction, with the patient having not travelled or interacted with a positive case. Alert levels were raised to red (level IV) and a temporary lock down has been implemented effective 1530 on 15 April 2020 with further eases to lockdown implemented from 15 June 450 400 350 300 Active Cases in Maldives 250 200 150 100 50 0 19-Jun 20-Jun 21-Jun 22-Jun 23-Jun 24-Jun 25-Jun 19-Jun 13 20-Jun 37 21-Jun 16 22-Jun 14 23-Jun 21 24-Jun 26 25-Jun 0 New Cases Reported Daily Total Active Cases 371 389 387 391 396 412 412 Public Health Risk Alert Levels Confirmed Cases 2261 Greater Male Area Red Recoveries 1839 National Yellow Isolation Facilities 311 WHO Risk Assessment Quarantine Facilities 139 Global level Very high Global status Pandemic Active Cases in Maldives 412 Updates from Covid19 Dashboard as of 21:47, 24 June 2020 For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org
Impact Impact Economic Sector The Ministry of Finance published the eighth Spending Report on 23 June 2020: MVR 963.6 million (US$ 62.5 million) has been spent on health response as of 18 June, a 2.2% increase from last week with the National Disaster Management Authority continuing to account for most of the spending for COVID-19 operations. MVR 303.2 million (US$ 19.7 million) has been spent on the socioeconomic response as of 18 June, consisting of payments disbursed as financial support and relief to individuals, households and businesses affected by the pandemic. The Finance Minister revealed that the projected MVR 30 billion (US$ 1.94 billion) revenue this year has been revised to MVR 15.1 billion (US$ 979 million) in the face of the pandemic. As per the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the Gross International Reserve (GIR) of Maldives totals US$ 836.9 million in May 2020. It was revealed that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) fined the same one individual 28 times for violating lockdown restrictions MVR 28,000 (US$ 1817). The International Finance Corporation (IFC signed an agreement with John Keells Holdings (JKH) for a US$ 175 million long-term investment to expand and refurbish hotels in Maldives and Sri Lanka. Political Sector The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is set to probe Civil Court Senior Judge Abdulla Ali and three other magistrates on disciplinary issues. Former President Mohamed Waheed was appointed Special Advisor to the opposition coalition of former ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People s National Congress (PNC). Two protests were held on the streets of Male calling for employee rights and atolls development with Police blocking the areas around parliament to prevent protestors from moving nearer. The Prosecutor General s Office (PGO) launched an internal inquiry on whether there was any influence within the office in relation to the biggest case of graft recorded in the Maldives, involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). Local women s rights NGO, Uthema has been targeted on social media platforms by religious scholars and individuals affiliated with current political opposition calling to ban the organization, following submission of a shadow report to CEDAW. Health & Social Sector The Government of India approved the transport of medical equipment purchased by the State Trading Organisation (STO) to contain Covid19 including testing equipment, facemasks, bag valve masks (BVM) for ventilators, tubing used in oxygen therapy and equipment for diabetes testing. The Indian Government also facilitated the travel of over 35 Maldivians to India for medical treatments unavailable in the country Transparency Maldives (TM) has called on the government to amend the Public Health Emergency Bill 2020 submitted in May 2020, to include the rights of all migrant workers. New positive cases were discovered in GA. Atoll and amongst staff of the Parliament and Male Prison. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed that Maldivians will not be able to perform Hajj pilgrimages this year, following the ban on international visitors for Hajj 1441, by the Government of Saudi Arabia. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org
Government Response Government Response Health & Social Sector President Solih held a press conference on 23 June, highlighting the Government s plans as the country moves to the recovery phase including: Maldives to reopen its borders for international travel on 15 July Schools to reopen and cafes and restaurants to start dine-in services under strict guidelines in July Testing capacity will be increased to 3000 tests per day The National Bureau of Statistics launched a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on tourist resort workers. The Ministry of Education is preparing an Education Response Plan (ERP) to reopen schools with an overall goal to minimize loss of learning for students. A joint training supported by UNICEF and led by the Maldivian Red Crescent has trained 961 teachers from 75 schools on psychological first aid as of 22 June. Maldives will hold its first ever virtual education fair with opportunities for local students to explore options from 20 international universities from over 10 countries. Maldives will ratify two key international treaties on human rights; the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Political Sector Parliament s government oversight committee approved Mohamed Aslam as the Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Amongst key highlights of reassurances by President Solih at the press conference on 23 June: Reassured that the Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances will not be dissolved until justice is served for victims The ruling coalition will be maintained amid tension within the coalition. President Solih also stated that negative criticism of the Maldives Police Service due to the conduct of a few irresponsible officers is not aiding productive reform. 446 Maldivians were repatriated from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Nepal. 339 Indian nationals and 200 Bangladesh nationals were repatriated. Maldives Police arrested 5 individuals during a special operation to combat extremist ideologies in R. Maduvvari. Over 300 individuals were repatriated on 23 June including 169 Indian nationals and 156 Nepali nationals. 198 Indian nationals were repatriated via navy boats and 339 via charter flights. Over 4000 Indian nationals have been repatriated to date/ Over 2000 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated since the start of the pandemic, 3 of which tested positive upon return Economic Sector The Ministry of Tourism published guidelines for re-starting the Tourism Industry The Government will sell over US$ 300 million worth Sukuk bonds in the international market instead of the Samurai bonds as previously planned due to the global economic crisis. The Government of China has partially suspended debt repayment for Maldives for four years. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org
UN Actions UN Actions WHO: Handed over 15,000 Viral Transport Media (VTMS), 2 Bio-safety cabinets for labs and essential lifesaving medicines of 5000 Ampules of Fentanyl and 700 vials of midazolam to the Ministry of Health. Provided technical support to the development of training materials and awareness videos on disinfecting schools in preparations for re-opening. Shared updated guidance on PPE specifications and use along with latest version of Disease Commodity Package version 4. Supported the COVID-19 Go-Data Success Story on Maldives by WHO South-East Asia UNICEF: Delivered 38,236 doses of Hepatitis B, Polio, DPT and other life-saving vaccines procured on behalf of the Government With continued high-level advocacy, key essential services have gradually opened to the public with an estimate of 400 children being vaccinated in the past two weeks. Supplies procured to support Ministry of Health on infection prevention and control have started to arrive and a batch of thermometers have been delivered to date UNDP: Assisted WHO with the procurement of PPEs and cartridges Health Response Health First: Protecting Health Services & Systems Protecting People: Social Protection & Basic Services Economic Response & Recovery Social Cohesion & Community Resilience Joint Agency Efforts: UN Maldives launched the first CSO- UN forum to progress Agenda 2030 Support by WHO & UNICEF for the Risk Communication & Community Engagement pillar under the NEOC continues Joint Agency Efforts Engagement of agencies in the technical working groups of the taskforce for developing the Government s Resilient Maldives Concept WHO: Mobilized drugs to respond to immediate needs of the National TB Program Carried out Dengue & Chikungunya clinical management online training in 3 additional atolls including GDh, AA, and Th. A total of over 300 health workers from 7 atolls have been trained Facilitated Maldives participation and presentations: Regional Consultation for mid- term review of progress of Decade for health workforce in the South-East Asia Region Regional meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) from 21-22 June Regional consultation on Vector Borne Diseases, 23-25 June UNICEF: Submitted a request for USD 750,000 USD from the GPE for the implementation Education Emergency Response Plan Provided support to send instructions for safe reopening of schools to prepare for reopening on 1 July. The online storytelling program Vaahakaige Dhuniye on the UNICEF Facebook page has reached 275,058 children and parents with stories Support for a national consultant to assist the MoGFSS and partners to develop the emergency response plan for social services and protection response. Socioeconomic Response UNDP: The Next Gen Summit led by UNDP Regional Centre held, which discussed challenges for governance for the region and Maldives and saw the participation of 3 delegates from Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture WHO: Collaborating with the Maldives Media Council and NDMA to develop COVID-19 media handbook for Journalists UNDP: Supporting the procurement of equipment needed for the Care Portal established by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services and for the Centre for Mental Health Under the Green Climate Fund project, co-design tools (for groundwater recharge & rainwater harvesting) completed. Convened meeting with legal firms & organisations to provide legal aid to those affected by COVID-19. UNICEF: Supporting the printing and installation of materials including billboards in public venues, to continue engaging the public on key For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org prevention messages.
